»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #5
»
The War
| Open Poetry #5 |
|
The War |
|
|
John Yaws Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 860Texas 
|
A nation torn asunder, homes destroyed, too A son was wearing Rebel Gray, his father Union Blue. Disparity in language? No. They had a common tongue, The nation’s greatest resource would be spent, ere war was done. And why should kindred fight and die? The question must we ask- And not an easy question, that Yet I accept the task; Customs? Culture? Schools of thought? Yea, all of these and more- Do share the blame and infamy, for causing that great war. Some say that slavery was the cause, it played a minor part- The rights of States to govern, was the cause right from the start. .The shadow, dread, of tyranny, did raise it’s ugly head- And ere the shadow was assuaged, thousands would lie dead. Chickamauga, Gettysburg, Antietam: just of few- Locations where those wearing gray, fought those for wearing blue- “Stonewall” Jackson, “Bobby” Lee, and Longstreet, with his beard- That Devil Forrest, raging far, whom Union Generals feared. A thousand nameless, faceless men; lie out in unmarked graves- While only God does keep account, of these the fallen brave. Tears like rivers carved the cheeks, of widows, sweethearts, mothers- And sisters, too; would sob and weep, o’er many fallen brothers. The wounds were long in healing, Reconstruction lay in store- There’s still a taste of bitterness, left over from “the War”. Visit My Home Page http://www.geocities.com/montcogunslinger/HomePage.html |
||
| © Copyright 2000 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
devina Member Elite
since 1999-10-28
Posts 3539Cali |
Hugs to you my friend, for all that you've been through!! Your poems always make me stop and think...fathers and sons fighting against each other- it's sad, but it's also a metaphor for the whole world- against each other, wish it wasn't always everyone for themselves.  Enjoyed the read dear, as always!Open arms can be the most fragile in the world... |
||
|
Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
This poem is so true and so sad that brothers fought brothers. And yes, there still is bitterness after all these years. I didn't understand it the first time I went south, but now I do. The war was devistating in so many ways, uprooting families, intruding on a culture and infringing on the right to govern as seen fit. The slavery had come of age, but ended in such a cruel way. There are many truths but many misconceptions about that also. Nice poem Liz |
||
|
Meadowmuse Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263 |
Gunslinger, another fine piece, and such an original rendering of an acutely lamentable era in our country's history. Your gift for poetic folktelling impresses me daily.  Claire |
||
|
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
I like it... giving Mike a run for his historic money....hehe....  |
||
|
Bbuzz Member
since 1999-12-17
Posts 76Washinton State |
Gunslinger, ............................................................................................................................................word fail me. You,my friend, are incredibly gifted. Bev |
||
|
Rus Bowden Member
since 2000-01-13
Posts 139 |
Hi Gunslinger, Super war poem. So long after and we have so much of the Civil Wars effects in our everday lives. Well done! Rus |
||
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
I think this is possibly the third poem of yours I've read about the Civil War....and every one has been excellent. |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
